wheelchairs and public transport

[Babyramone]

just wanted to see what you thought of this.
Yesterday I got on one of our local buses with my pushchair. The buses have space for wheelchairs and prams etc.
you are supposed to give up for a wheelchair user either by folding pram or getting off.
Anyway a couple of stops into my journey a man using a wheelchair needed on. I have a Mamas and Papas Freestyler so is easy to fold if a bit bulky but I had it laidened with stuff plus rucksack on back plus 8 month old dd and the luggage rack had someones shopping on it so I offered to get off get to my destination an other way.
I was totally fine with this. I work with children with additional needs and am aware how difficult it is for their parents getting put and about so the last thing I'm going to do is make it hard for adult in same situation.
As I was getting of the driver asked me to stop. Asked if I could fold, I explained would be awkward as so much stuff and that I was happy to get off which I did. Then the bus driver wouldn't let man and his partner on.
Didn't here conversation as had gone in shelter but next thing the man said on you go I can get other bus at different stop and off they went.
I was a bit baffled but when I got on the driver told me he'd refused to let him on as I'd paid my fare and it's equal rights therefore that means my right as important and as I had full buggy etc got priority as was on first.
When I told my friend she agreed with driver.
I however don't and was quite embarrassed by it all.
Feel now I should of not got on either but didn't think at time.
FWIW I normally use mclaren for bus and fold as a rule used bigger pushchair as had so much stuff.

i think it was a very nice thing for you to offer.

You'd already paid and were on first so there's no reason why you should have to get off the bus to let someone else on, whether they're in a wheelchair or not,

Of course disabled people should be treated equally but does that mean they should get priority?
It was good of you to offer though.

If you were happy to get off the bus then I don't understand why the driver wouldn't let the man on.

Chugnuts thats what I felt.

i'm not sure whar drivers rights are with regards to refusing to allow someone access. i have a feeling there must be, as when i worked i na shop we could refuse to serve people. if the driver thought it was unfair in you getting (even though you offered) then i guess he has the right to refuse this other guy on if you got off. FWIW the guy in the wheelchair proberly was very embaressed as well as being thankful you got off without being asked.

its a a strange situation, i give you that.

I think it was a lovely thing you offered to do. But if you hadn?t offered to get off, the man in the wheelchair wouldn?t have been able to get on because there wouldn?t have been enough space.

It?s tricky. Personally I think that as a person with a disability you can?t have it both ways. If you expect to be treated as an equal then you shouldn?t expect preferencial treatment. I guess the driver was just taking that equality to its limit. Had you not offered to get off, he would have had to refuse the man in the wheelchair access, so he did so anyway on the grounds that it was unfair that someone had to get off in order to allow him access.

Thanks for your kind words everyone. Feel bit better about it. Yes the man was a bit embarrassed but seemed fine also.
Will be taking Mclaren from now on